Page 35 of Beauden & Yelena

“What charm?”

“This,” I respond, waving my hand in his direction. “This sexy cowboy, rugged but gentle, Beauden charm.”

“I’m just being me,” he utters and I feel his words vibrate through my damn soul.

“See, charming.”

He pulls up to the gate at The Phoxes Den and presses the little device affixed to his visor. The gate opens and he slowly drives in. He pulls into the backside of the lodge. Billy is standing right in front of my room’s back glass door.This goat is going to force me to like him.

Still working through my fear of him, I exhale then bravely get out of the truck with Beauden’s help. “Do you want me to hold him for you?” he asks when my feet hit the ground.

“No. I’m going to try and just walk past him. If I ignore him, maybe he will ignore me.”

“He’s not going to ignore you. I told you my animals are just like me; he likes you. He wants to be up on you. Let him. I promise he won’t bite.”

While he grabs my bags out of the back seat, I amble to the back door and sure enough, Billy makes a beeline toward me. Initially, I freeze but then I talk myself into loosening up. Similar to a dog, he walks around me then nuzzles my legs. I don’t flinch; I let him touch me.

Beauden walks up to the door and chuckles a little at me. “He wants you to pet him.”

“He’ll let me?” I ask skeptically.

“Yes.” He smirks before opening the door.

Gingerly, I lean down then lightly pat the top of Billy’s head. He doesn’t attack me. Instead, he lets out a low sound, a faint baa. I think he’s pleased. When I stop, he prances off without incident.Whew!When I walk into my room, my bags are on the bed and Beauden is by the fireplace, turning it on for me.

“I need to talk to Liberty about tomorrow,” he says.

“Okay, I’ll be ready when you get back,” I say.

He treks over to me then wraps his arms around me. “Take your time but not too long.” He leans down and kisses the hell out of me. After leaving me breathless, he walks out of the back door.

“Father God, help me!” I sigh.

Knock! Knock!

I walk to the main door of the suite. The only person who knocks is Miss Martha Jean. Thinking it’s her, I open it without asking.

“Steve,” I say, a little surprised. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. It’s fine. Since our flight is at ten, I’ve asked Liberty to arrange our transport at seven. I just want to be on time. I’m sure you are as ready as I am to return home.”

Maybe, maybe not. I still don’t know.

“I’ll be ready,” I say and the uneasiness in my tone shocks me a little. He notices it too.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

“Good because I’ve been thinking. With your client portfolio and the revenue that you bring in, I need to shake things up at the firm. When we get back, let’s talk about you moving up.”

“Moving up?” I ask with surprise. “The only position between mine and yours is chief controller.”

“That’s right,” he confirms and all I can do is smile.

Chief Controller of SP & Jones!I’ve worked so hard for this. Accomplishing this as a Black woman under the age of thirty is everything. I’ll be the second highest executive in the firm. Monalisa will have to report to me and she’s going to hate it. The thought of her makes me smile even harder.

“Thank you,” I finally manage to utter.

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